LAKE CHARLES, La (Jan. 13, 2017) The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) recently honored Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana as a 2017 Top 20 Event for the month of January. From glittering parades and royal costumes to mambo, Zydeco and gumbo, the festivities have something for everyone, Jan. 6-Feb. 28.

Upcoming featured events include the World Famous Cajun Extravaganza Gumbo Cook-off, Feb. 25; the Children’s Day Parade, Feb. 26; and the Royal Gala on Monday, Feb. 27. Topping off the season is the Krewe of Krewes Parade on Tuesday, Feb. 28. For a full list of Mardi Gras events, log on to www.swlamardigras.com.

The Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau is a member of STS, an organization that promotes travel to and within the southeastern part of the United States. The bureau nominates all area fairs, festivals and events quarterly. The STS Top 20 Events marketing program highlights the “best of the best” from submitted entries.

Events are selected from each of the following STS member states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The Top 20 Events publication is sent to over 1,600 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, AAA publications and others. The combined circulation of organizations using the publication is well into the millions. Therefore, the potential media coverage of these events has made the Top 20 Events list a coveted honor.